Appeals for more 20 mph zones

FIGURES released by the Welsh Government showed that 100 cyclists were killed or seriously injured on Welsh roads last year.

The statistics also showed that 63 young people were killed or seriously injured as pedestrians.

The majority of casualties occurred in areas with a 30mph speed limit, with no child cycling casualties occurring in 20mph zones in Wales.

Sustrans Cymru, a charity encouraging people to travel by bike, foot or public transport, is appealing for more 20mph zones across the country in a bid to reduce the number of casualties.

The charity’s national director Jane Lorimer said: “Every child hurt or killed on Welsh roads is one too many and the number of child pedestrian casualties is of particular concern.

“We need more 20mph speed limits in communities across Wales, which will reduce casualties and ensure any collisions that do happen are less severe.

“The Minister for Transport has spoken about the need to make the walk to school safer and these figures indicate she is absolutely right. The figures also show that cyclists remain most likely to be injured at junctions and when simply heading straight on”.